"Excuse me" is one of those essential phrases you learn early on when studying French. But just like in English, there isn't just one way to say it! Depending on the situation – whether you're apologizing, trying to get someone's attention, or politely passing through a crowd – a different French phrase might be more appropriate. Mastering these nuances will make your French sound much more natural and polite. So, let's dive into 9 different ways to say "excuse me" in French and when to use them!

The standard and most common 'excuse me' (formal) – Excusez-moi

The standard and most common ‘excuse me’ (formal) – Excusez-moi

Excusez-moi is the quintessential French phrase for ‘excuse me’, primarily used in formal or polite contexts.

It is the go-to expression when addressing strangers, elders, or anyone you wish to show respect to, making it inherently more formal than its counterpart, Pardon.

Literally meaning ‘excuse me’ (the ‘vous’ form of the verb excuser), it reflects politeness by using the formal ‘vous’ pronoun.

Its main function is to apologize for a minor infraction, request attention, or ask permission to pass.

You would use Excusez-moi if you accidentally bump into someone, interrupt a conversation, or need to apologize for a small disturbance.

It's also perfect for politely getting someone's attention, such as a waiter in a restaurant, a shop assistant, or someone you need to ask a question to.

When navigating a crowded space and needing someone to move aside, Excusez-moi is the polite way to ask for passage.

Remember to pronounce the 'z' sound at the end of Excusez and the 'moi' clearly: eks-kew-zay mwa.

Excusez-moi is a fundamental phrase for anyone looking to navigate French interactions with grace and respect, embodying the country's emphasis on politeness.

💡 * Excusez-moi, je peux passer ? (Excuse me, may I pass?)

Excusez-moi, Monsieur, pourriez-vous m'aider ? (Excuse me, Sir, could you help me?)

Excusez-moi, vous avez l'heure ? (Excuse me, do you have the time?)

Oh, excusez-moi, je ne vous avais pas vu. (Oh, excuse me, I didn't see you.)

Excusez-moi d'interrompre, mais j'ai une question. (Excuse me for interrupting, but I have a question.)

The versatile 'sorry' or 'excuse me' – Pardon

The French word Pardon is incredibly versatile, serving as both 'sorry' and 'excuse me' in a multitude of situations. It's a fundamental expression for politeness and social interaction.

You can use Pardon to politely get someone's attention, similar to saying 'excuse me' in English. This is useful when you need to ask a question, pass through a crowd, or gently interrupt a conversation.

For minor accidental offenses, such as bumping into someone, stepping on a foot, or inadvertently blocking a path, a simple Pardon is the perfect way to apologize quickly and courteously without implying deep regret.

If you didn't hear what someone said, or if you need them to repeat themselves, you can use Pardon? (with an upward intonation) to mean 'Sorry?' or 'Could you repeat that?' It's a quick and polite way to ask for clarification.

While Pardon covers many light apologies, for more serious or heartfelt apologies, the word Désolé(e) (sorry) is generally more appropriate. Désolé(e) conveys a deeper sense of regret for a more significant error or unfortunate event.

Pardon is a cornerstone of French politeness and is used frequently in daily interactions. Mastering its various applications will significantly enhance your ability to navigate social situations gracefully and sound more like a native speaker.

💡 * Pardon, je peux passer? (Excuse me, can I pass?)

Pardon, vous avez l'heure? (Excuse me, do you have the time?)

Oh, pardon! Je ne vous avais pas vu. (Oh, sorry! I didn't see you.)

Pardon? Je n'ai pas bien entendu. (Sorry? I didn't hear well.)

The formal 'I beg your pardon' – Je vous demande pardon

While pardon and excusez-moi are common ways to apologize or ask for repetition, Je vous demande pardon stands out as a highly formal expression in French.

Literally translating to "I ask your forgiveness/pardon," this phrase conveys a deep sense of regret or a very polite request for someone to repeat what they said, especially in a formal context.

You would typically use Je vous demande pardon in situations demanding extreme politeness or a profound apology, such as interrupting a formal meeting, addressing a dignitary, or expressing sincere remorse for a significant error.

Breaking it down: Je (I), vous (you - formal singular or plural), demande (ask/request), pardon (pardon/forgiveness). The use of vous reinforces the high level of respect and formality.

Unlike the more casual Pardon? (for 'excuse me/what?') or Excusez-moi (for 'excuse me'), Je vous demande pardon carries a weight that makes it less suitable for everyday minor infractions.

💡 * Je vous demande pardon pour cette interruption. (I beg your pardon for this interruption.)

Je vous demande pardon, je n'ai pas bien compris. (I beg your pardon, I didn't quite understand.)

Nous vous demandons pardon pour le désagrément. (We beg your pardon for the inconvenience.)

Je vous demande pardon, Monsieur le Président. (I beg your pardon, Mr. President.)

The polite way to get attention (formal) – S'il vous plaît

When you need to politely get someone's attention in a formal setting, or make a formal request, the phrase to use is S'il vous plaît.

Literally translated, S'il vous plaît means 'If it pleases you'. This conveys a respectful request, acknowledging the other person's free will.

This expression is crucial in formal situations, when addressing someone you don't know well, an elder, or someone in a position of authority. It exclusively uses the formal 'vous' pronoun.

S'il vous plaît is versatile. Use it to ask for something ('un café, s'il vous plaît'), to get a waiter's attention ('Monsieur, s'il vous plaît'), or to politely ask someone to move or repeat something.

💡 * Excusez-moi, s'il vous plaît, où se trouve la gare? (Excuse me, please, where is the train station?)

Un café, s'il vous plaît. (A coffee, please.)

Pourriez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît? (Could you repeat, please?)

S'il vous plaît, puis-je avoir l'addition? (Please, may I have the bill?)

Madame, s'il vous plaît, j'ai une question. (Madam, please, I have a question.)

The informal 'sorry' or 'excuse me' (when bumping) – Désolé(e)

Désolé(e) is a common French word that directly translates to 'sorry' or 'upset.' It's a fundamental expression for apologies in everyday French.

When used on its own, Désolé(e) is highly informal. It's the perfect quick apology for minor social blips or accidental bumps, making it ideal for casual conversations.

Remember that désolé is an adjective and must agree with the speaker's gender. A male speaker uses désolé, and a female speaker uses désolée (both pronounced identically).

This phrase shines in situations like accidentally brushing past someone, spilling a drink, or needing to interrupt briefly. It conveys a polite acknowledgement of a small mistake or inconvenience.

While Pardon can also mean 'excuse me' or 'sorry,' Désolé(e) specifically emphasizes regret or an apology for a minor fault. Choose Désolé(e) when you want to express 'my bad' quickly.

💡 * Désolé ! Je ne t'avais pas vu. (Sorry! I didn't see you.)

Oh, désolée, j'ai renversé mon café. (Oh, sorry, I spilled my coffee.)

Désolé(e), je dois partir maintenant. (Sorry, I have to leave now.)

Désolé, je suis en retard. (Sorry, I'm late.)

The more direct 'I am sorry' – Je suis désolé(e)

The phrase Je suis désolé(e) directly translates to “I am sorry” in French. It is the most common and straightforward way to express an apology or regret. Remember that désolé changes to désolée if the speaker is female, reflecting gender agreement in French adjectives.

You'll use Je suis désolé(e) in a wide range of situations, from apologizing for a minor mistake, expressing regret for an action, or showing sympathy when someone tells you bad news. It signifies a genuine feeling of remorse or concern.

While direct, Je suis désolé(e) can convey varying degrees of regret. For very minor inconveniences, Pardon might be sufficient. However, for anything that requires a more substantial apology or expression of sympathy, Je suis désolé(e) is the appropriate choice, signaling a deeper level of feeling.

One of the strengths of Je suis désolé(e) is its versatility. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Whether you're addressing a close friend or a professional acquaintance, this phrase maintains a polite and respectful tone, making it a safe and reliable option.

To intensify your apology, you can add adverbs like vraiment (really), tellement (so much), or sincèrement (sincerely) before désolé(e). For example, Je suis vraiment désolé(e) means “I am really sorry,” emphasizing the sincerity of your regret.

💡 * Je suis désolé(e) pour le retard. (I am sorry for the delay.)

Oh, je suis vraiment désolé(e), je ne l'ai pas vu. (Oh, I am really sorry, I didn't see it.)

Je suis désolé(e) d'apprendre ça. (I'm sorry to hear that.)

Nous sommes désolés pour la gêne occasionnée. (We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.)

The informal way to get attention – S'il te plaît

When you need to ask for something politely and informally in French, or want to get someone's attention in a casual setting, you'll use the phrase S'il te plaît.

Literally translating to 'if it pleases you,' S'il te plaît is the singular, informal form of 'please.' It's composed of si (if), il (it), te (you, informal object pronoun), and plaît (from the verb plaire, to please).

This phrase is reserved for situations where you're addressing a single person you know well, like a friend, family member, or child. It's the equivalent of saying 'please' or 'excuse me' in a friendly, familiar way.

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S'il te plaît, passe-moi le sel. (Please, pass me the salt.)

S'il te plaît, tu peux m'aider avec mes devoirs ? (Please, can you help me with my homework?)

Maman, s'il te plaît, je peux avoir un biscuit ? (Mom, please, can I have a cookie?)

S'il te plaît, écoute-moi un instant. (Please, listen to me for a moment.)

The formal 'Please excuse me' – Veuillez m'excuser

While excusez-moi is common for 'excuse me,' Veuillez m'excuser is a more formal and polite way to say 'Please excuse me' or 'Kindly excuse me.' It implies a greater degree of respect or a more serious situation.

The phrase uses the imperative form of vouloir (to want), veuillez, which translates to 'please' or 'kindly' in this context, combined with the reflexive verb s'excuser (to excuse oneself).

You would typically use Veuillez m'excuser in professional settings, when addressing strangers or elders, or when you need to make a more significant apology or request for pardon.

💡 * Veuillez m'excuser, je dois partir. (Please excuse me, I must leave.)

Veuillez m'excuser pour le dérangement. (Please excuse me for the inconvenience.)

Veuillez m'excuser de mon retard. (Please excuse my lateness.)

Veuillez m'excuser un instant. (Please excuse me for a moment.)

The more emphatic 'Forgive me' – Pardonnez-moi

While Pardon is a versatile word for 'excuse me' or a light 'sorry,' when you need to express a more profound or formal 'forgive me' in French, the phrase Pardonnez-moi comes into play. It carries a greater weight of apology.

You'll use Pardonnez-moi in situations where you are genuinely seeking forgiveness for a mistake, an offense, or when interrupting someone in a very formal setting. It implies a deeper sense of regret or a more serious request for leniency than a simple Pardon.

Pardonnez-moi is derived from the verb pardonner (to forgive). Pardonnez is the imperative form for 'you' (plural or formal singular 'vous'), and moi is the indirect object pronoun 'me'. Therefore, it literally means 'Forgive me'.

The key difference between Pardon and Pardonnez-moi lies in their intensity and formality. Pardon is a quick, everyday apology for minor inconveniences (e.g., bumping into someone). Pardonnez-moi is reserved for more significant apologies or respectful interruptions, especially when addressing someone with whom you maintain a formal relationship or in a more serious context.

💡 *Pardonnez-moi, je n'ai pas voulu vous offenser. (Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend you.)
*Pardonnez-moi de vous interrompre, mais j'ai une question urgente. (Forgive me for interrupting you, but I have an urgent question.)
*Il a dit "Pardonnez-moi" après avoir commis une grave erreur. (He said "Forgive me" after making a serious mistake.)
*Pardonnez-moi mon impolitesse. (Forgive my impoliteness.)

Are there other ways to say 'excuse me' in French?

Are there other ways to say “excuse me” in French?

Our list covers the most common and versatile ways to say “excuse me” in French. However, the French language, like any other, is rich with nuances, regionalisms, and evolving slang.

To discover more specific or regional expressions, you can do an online search for “comment dire excusez-moi en ___” followed by a particular Francophone country or region.

While exploring, you might find interesting alternatives. Always verify a word’s definition and observe its usage in context before incorporating it into your vocabulary.

As you immerse yourself in French media — reading, watching, and listening — pay close attention. You’ll naturally pick up on different ways native speakers use to politely interrupt, apologize, or get attention.

For a deeper dive into the various meanings and uses of “excuse me” and related phrases, the WordReference entry for excuser is an excellent resource to consult.

I hope this article has helped clarify how to use “excuse me” in French effectively. Remember, politeness is key in any language, and mastering these phrases will greatly enhance your interactions. As the French proverb says, “La politesse ne coûte rien et achète tout.” (Politeness costs nothing and buys everything.)

9 ways to say "excuse me" in French